DC Emergency Plumbing Services

May 18, 2017DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advicematt

Plumbing emergencies are inevitable in our homes and offices, and at a time we can’t afford to wait to get them fixed. Your water heater may stop heating water when you enter your shower. Your dishwasher may break down when you are cleaning up after dinner. The toilet or sink may clog when you are leaving for work, or one of your pipes may leak or burst during the night. Before you contact an emergency plumbing service in case of such emergency, you should turn off your water supply. If it’s a broken pipe, a faucet that’s leaking or a water heater that stopped working, ensure you discontinue the flow of water. This will reduce water wastage hence lower charges on your water bill. However, by doing this, you will prevent any flooding event if there is a serious leakage.

The best residential and commercial plumbing services will provide you with the best emergency repairs, replacements, and maintenance to help you avoid damage in case of a leak or clog. If an emergency occurs in DC, it will be comforting to have a plumbing service on speed dial to fix the problems before they worsen. The following are the three important reasons why you should have DC emergency plumbing services contact at all times.

Avoiding Property Damage

One thing that is a nightmare to every homeowner is damage to property. Property damage may come as a result of plumbing failures and freezing pipes. Most often, property damage due to water leaks end up costing the homeowner a lot of money leading to a complete remodel of the kitchen or bathroom. Emergency plumbing services will limit the damage done to your home and save you a lot of money in the long run.

Getting To Use Your Fixtures Once Again

If there is a pipe disruption or breakage in your plumbing system, it becomes impossible to use your toilet or sink. For very obvious reasons, you cannot afford to have these things not working for a long period. DC Emergency plumbing services or a plumber in DC will enable you to continue with a normal life in case such events occur.

Plumbing System Inspections

When there is a leak or clog in your plumbing system, the best emergency service will perform a keen inspection of the entire system to ensure there are no more lingering issues. For instance, if your sewer system is more than 30 years old, it may require replacement. An emergency plumbing service will notify you this at no cost as they come to fix your emergency issues.

In conclusion, the plumbing system in your business or home is very complex and at any time disaster can strike leading to damage of property. It is therefore important to look for DC emergency plumbing services as a method of home improvement. It is also crucial to have contact information of a qualified plumbing company or a plumber in DC in the case of emergencies and especially the life-threatening ones. Most of the plumbing companies offer plumbing services 24 hours, seven days in a week throughout the year.

Uncovering Issues In Your DC Home

May 12, 2017DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advicematt

Often, when issues arise in our homes, we have a pretty clear idea of what the problem is. If the air-conditioner goes out, for example, we know we have to call an HVAC service company here in DC. Some problems, however, are not so cut and dry. Some issues that we deal with as homeowners may take some serious investigating to properly diagnose. This article will cover some of those issues, providing tips on how to uncover them, and who you can turn to in the DC-area to fix them.

Detecting Mice In Your Home

Mice can be a huge problem for DC homeowners, as they get into food, eat away at the structure and wiring of your house, and can even spread diseases. Unfortunately, these creatures can be very hard to detect, as they can squeeze through pin-sized holes, and tend to hide in the walls of your house. If you do happen to see a mouse scurrying across your floor, there are probably several more that you don’t see. Typically, you will know that you have a mouse infestation by paying attention to several clues: scratching or scurrying noises from within your walls, the presence of mouse feces, and food that seems to have been gotten into are all common signs of a mouse infestation. If you suspect that there are mice in your house, try setting traps. There are traps that kill mice outright and traps that simply capture them so that you can release them away from your house. Which type of trap you purchase is up to you, but it is important that you buy a few and make sure they are spread out around your house. Be sure to put them in places where you will not step on them! While we have all seen the cheese on the mousetrap in cartoons, peanut butter is actually the recommended bait, as mice love it, and its stickiness makes it hard to eat without setting off the trap. If you suspect that your mouse problem is serious, call a professional exterminator here in DC.

Detecting Leaks In Your Plumbing

A plumbing leak is another household problem that is not so obvious. In fact, leaks can be very hard to spot. As with mice, there are some common signs that can indicate a probable plumbing leak. A sudden and unexplainable increase in your water bill is a big red flag, as leaks naturally tend to cause increased water usage. The presence of mold and mildew, with an accompanying musty smell is another sign that there could be a leak in your plumbing. If you suspect that you have a leak, call a DC leak detection service to come out and examine your plumbing. This is definitely a task best left to the professionals, as finding a leak can sometimes be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. However, a good plumber will use their expert knowledge – as well as high-tech gadgets such as mini video cameras – to pinpoint your leak. Once found, the plumber should be able to fix the leak for you with relative ease.

Where To Go When You Need A Quick Repair Here In DC

May 10, 2017DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advicematt

There are many joys when it comes to being a homeowner. It is wonderful having your own piece of property, that you can decorate or upgrade however you see fit. That being said, there are some headaches to being a homeowner as well. When something needs repaired, you cannot simply call a landlord or superintendent to come and fix it. It is up to you to take care of any problems with your home. One of the great perks of being a homeowner here in Washington, DC is that there are countless repair services who are able to help you out. This article will describe some common repairs that you might need to call a DC-area service provider to come out and help you with.

Plumbing Repairs In DC

If you own a home for several years, you will likely need to make several calls to a DC-area plumber. This is an unfortunate fact of life as a homeowner. One of the most common reasons that homeowners here in DC place calls to plumbers is drain clogs. A drain clog can be a huge inconvenience for you and your family, as it can prevent you from using your sink, shower, or even your toilet! Many homeowners attempt to fix these clogs themselves, either with chemicals or with a “snake” (a motorized metal coil, that reaches deep into drains and breaks up clogs). For minor clogs, this can work, but for major clogs, it is recommended that you call a DC clog service. When you make this call, a service technician will come out to your house and inspect your drain, often using a small video camera. Once the clog is located, the service tech will be able to break it up using sophisticated plumbing equipment.

Electric Repairs In DC

It is a good idea to have the contact information of a knowledgeable and reputable electrician here in DC, as electrical problems can literally pop up in the blink of an eye. Unless you really know what you are doing, it is recommended that you do not attempt to make electrical repairs yourself. Working with electrical systems is very dangerous, as it can lead to electric shock. With a quick call, though, a DC-area electrician will be able to come out to your house and inspect your wiring, then make any repairs that are necessary.

HVAC Repairs In DC

DC is known for many wonderful things: beautiful weather is not one of them. Summers here are hot and humid, while winters are downright cold. For this reason, it is important that you have a working air-conditioner and a working heater. If either of these essential appliances should ever stop working when you need them most, call a local HVAC service technician right away. A good HVAC service technician will be able make the necessary repairs and have you feeling warm and cozy – or nice and cool – again in no time.

A Quick Guide To Commercial Repairs Here In DC

May 8, 2017Commercial Plumbing, DC Plumber, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issuesmatt

Businesses, like homes, need structural repairs sometimes. Such repairs can range from a quick fix to a lengthy repair project. While the latter can certainly be a huge headache for business owners, DC-area business owners are lucky in that they have scores of reputable service providers to choose from for their repair needs. This article will highlight some of the common repairs that need done in commercial facilities, as well as steps that DC-area business owners can take to ensure that the repairs are done right.

Commercial Plumbing Repairs

Plumbing repairs are one of the costs of doing business, for any company. There are several plumbing issues that could arise at some point. One of the most dangerous, for a business, is leaky pipes. If left unrepaired, a leaky pipe could cause your company’s water bill to skyrocket, and it could cause structural damage to your building. If that weren’t bad enough, it could even damage important documents and equipment (for this reason, and many others, it is important to have a disaster recovery plan in place). If you do suspect that one of your pipes is leaking, call a DC commercial plumber to come fix it right away. Your business could also face sewer issues, often because of a broken or worn-out sewer line. Problems with your sewer line can lead to costly and inconvenient backups. For an issue like this, you will want to call a DC commercial sewer repair company to come out and inspect your sewer line right away.

Commercial Electric Repair

Electrical problems can also be a huge hassle for your company, as loss of power equals loss of production time, which in turn equals loss of money. Furthermore, problems with electrical wiring can even cause fires! If the electrical system at your business needs repairing, call a licensed DC commercial electrician to come out to your business right away. Do not simply have one of your employees try to fix this problem, as that could lead to even more issues, as well as compromise employee safety.

Similar to electrical problems, your company’s internet and computer server will likely need occasional repairs as well. If you have an IT person or department, they should be able to handle most repairs. Major crashes, however, will likely require additional hands. Often, the vendor who sold you the equipment will be able to send out a service technician to help with repairs. If this is not an option, call an IT repair person here in DC to come out and assist you.

Structural Repairs To Your Office

Sometimes, you will need to make repairs to the structure of your office or facility itself. Repairs might include fixing the roof of your office (especially after a storm) and even repairing damaged walls. In this case, you can call a contractor here in the DC area to come out and inspect your property. You might have to work around the contractor while repairs are being made, but such repairs are essential to the success of your business.

How To Handle Sudden Repairs In Your DC Home

May 6, 2017DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advicematt

As homeowners, there are some repairs that we are prepared for. Perhaps we have an old oven that needs replacing, or an air-conditioner that has been running on its last leg for quite some time, and can go out any minute. We expect to make repairs on such appliances, and often have money saved up for repairs. Some repairs, though, seem to come completely out of the clear blue sky. Something could be running just fine, then – next thing you know – it’s broken. This article will help you figure out how to handle sudden repairs such as these, and will highlight DC-area service providers that you can call when these unfortunate situations arise.

Sudden Appliance Repairs

Unfortunately, major appliances often break down without warning. This goes for refrigerators, ovens, washers and driers, as well as air-conditioners and heaters. If a major appliance breaks down without warning, it is important to get the right DC service technician out to your house to make the repair. The type of technician that you end up calling will vary depending on which appliance broke down. If your air-conditioner or heater is needing repair, for example, you will need to call a local HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) technician. An HVAC technician specializes in heating and air-conditioning repair, and will be able to have your unit running good as new in no time. There are also plenty of DC-area technicians who specialize in kitchen appliance repair, as well as technicians whose work is solely devoted to washer and dryer repair. Call one of these technicians as soon as you realize there is a problem with one of your appliances, and they will be able to come out and give you an estimate. Sometimes they will recommend that you replace the appliance altogether, but repairs can usually be made.

Sudden Plumbing Repairs

Plumbing issues often pop up without any prior notice. That is the bad news. The good news is that there are many plumbers here in DC who are able to come out to your house and make repairs with very little notice. Many local plumbers even provide twenty-four-hour service, seven days a week! Leaks, for example, seem to happen out of nowhere (and always seem to pop up at the worst possible time!). If you have a leak, it is recommended that you call a DC leak service to come out to your house, and the sooner the better! Leaks can cause excessively high water bills, as well as structural damage to your house. Leak repair will likely involve a two-step process, in which the plumber inspects your pipes to determine the location of the leak, then goes about fixing it. Another plumbing situation that takes many DC homeowners by surprise is clogs. If the water in your sink, tub, or toilet is not going down the drain, you likely have a clog on your hands. A DC plumber will be able to inspect and fix your clog as well.

How To Deal With Clogged Drains Here In DC

May 4, 2017DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issuesmatt

Clogged drains are more or less a fact of life for most homeowners here in DC. Drains can clog for a variety of reasons, which this article will explain. Whatever the reason is, if your drain has a major clog, you will likely need to call a DC plumber to come and unclog it. When you are dealing with a clog, you may think that your drain will never run like normal, but a good local plumber will have your drain running smoothly again in no time. This article will highlight some reasons that your drain may clog, as well as some tips on how to find a great plumber here in DC.

Why Drains Clog

There are many reasons that your drain may clog. One of the main reasons that a drain clogs is build-up of grease, hair, or other particles. As a helpful tip, you should never pour grease down your sink (or any other drain). Instead, store it in a container to be disposed of in your garbage. A drain grate (a metal or plastic cover with small holes that allow liquids to move through, but not solids), should be placed on all drains in your house. This prevents food and hair particles from building up in your drain. Another reason for drain clogs, believe it or not, is sewer backups. When there is something wrong with your sewer line, it can affect your entire plumbing system. This could result in your toilet overflowing and water pooling in your shower. Sewer lines are rather fragile, and can be damaged by changes in the soil, including tree roots growing in the path of the line. For this reason, you should call a DC sewer and drain specialist, so that any issues with your drain – whether it be a clog or a sewer issue – can be resolved.

How You Can Deal With Drain Clogs

You will be able to deal with smaller drain clogs on your own. Liquid drain cleaners – such as Drain-O – can break up small clogs. It is a good idea to keep a bottle of such a cleaning agent on hand. You might even wish to pour some down your drain periodically, even if you do not have a noticeable backup. This will break up any clogs that might be in the process of forming. For clogs that are a little larger, you might need a “drain snake.” This is a durable metal coil, attached to a motor, that will reach deep down your drain. When you turn the power on, the coil twits rapidly, breaking up any clogs in your drain. While this can break up many clogs, there are some clogs that neither the cleaner nor the snake will be able to break up. This is when you would want to call a reputed plumber here in DC. Ask around or search online forums to find a plumber who provides consistent and reliable service. Again, it is important to find a DC plumber who specializes in sewer line repair as well, as that could potentially be the cause of your clog.

Tips For Building Your Dream Home Here In DC

May 2, 2017Bathroom Remodeling, DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issues, Water Heatersmatt

As all Washingtonians know, the DC area is home to a vast array of beautiful housing stock, which tends to get sold as soon as it hits the market. For this reason, many local homebuyers are choosing to buy land and have their houses custom-built. One of the great advantages of custom-building a house is that you have a say in all of its design and construction elements, as you are present for every decision regarding the build. While this means that you are able to create the DC home of your dreams from the ground up, it also requires a lot of dedication and attention to detail on your part. This may seem like an arduous task, but the end result is so worth it. This article will provide some pointers on custom-building your house here in the DC area.

How To Find The Right Help For Your Project

You will likely need many professionals to help you with your custom home-build. Of course, you will need an architect and a contractor to design and construct your house, respectively. That is obvious to most people. What many people do not realize, however, is that there are several other aspects of a home-build that require the help of several other professionals. For one, you will need a plumber to install the plumbing in your house, and connect you to your city or county’s water service. This is a very important and difficult job, and it is recommended that you hire a DC licensed master plumber to do this work for you. You really should not take any chances with this! Equally important is the electrician who will wire your house. For this, you will want a licensed electrician who is known for providing top-notch service here in the DC area.

Having A Plan And Sticking To It

As anyone who has built their own home can tell you, having a highly-detailed plan for your build is crucial. Without one, things can spiral out of control quickly, as decisions pile on top of decisions. There are bound to be some decisions that you are forced to make on the spur of the moment, but try to make as many as you can before you begin your home-build. Even seemingly small decisions like what type of doorknobs and faucets to install are important to hash out up front. This is not only important for your sanity, it is important for your budget as well. Before beginning a project such as this, it is imperative that you take stock of how much you are willing to spend on the construction of your home, and get realistic estimates for each phase of the project. Your estimates may not be perfect, and there will surely be some expenses that you were not able to account for up front, but drafting a budget ahead of time is a great way to ensure that you do not break the bank.

How To Find The Best Service Providers Here In Washington, D.C.

April 30, 2017DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Water Heatersmatt

Washington, D.C. is a huge area with many amenities. One of the amenities that D.C. is lucky to have is a large number of service providers who are able to work on your home: everything from D.C. landscaping services, to D.C. roofers, to DC plumbing services can be found pretty easily. The question is, with all of these choices, how do you find the best service provider? How do you find a provider who will provide consistent and quality service at a reasonable cost? Given that this is such a large area, it can be difficult to zero in on the best service providers, but this article will provide some tips to help you do just that. Continue reading if you are looking to find out how you can locate the best service providers here in the D.C. area.

Try Asking Your Friends, Coworkers, And Neighbors Here In The D.C. Area

One great way to find a good service provider for your particular needs is word-of-mouth. Washington is a town that is all about connections, and you should take advantage of your connections here in the city to find the perfect service provider. This is especially true if you recently moved to the area. Some of your neighbors and coworkers have likely been here for years, and should have some pretty good knowledge about who you should call and who you should definitely avoid. Be sure to take advantage of that knowledge! It is recommended that you do not wait until you need to make a major repair to find a good service provider. This will leave you scrambling to find someone at the last minute! Instead, you should compile a list of providers in various service areas, so that you will know who to call when it comes time.

Utilize D.C. Area Websites To Aid You In Your Search

The internet is certainly your friend when it comes to hiring service providers here in Washington, D.C. You might be surprised at the different tools available to you online. For one, you might wish to start with some popular search engines. This will allow you to find some websites for popular service providers in the area, such as DC water heater services. These websites, in turn, will allow you to get a feel for what types of service each provider offers, as well as contact information for each service provider. While this is certainly helpful, it will not give you any insight into quality and consistency of service, since companies will not post negative reviews on their website (it tends to be bad for business!). What you can do, to ensure that you are hiring the best service provider, is check local forums where users around the D.C. area post about their experiences. In some cases, it will be a simple one-sentence review, or perhaps just a rating. In other cases, though, you will get several paragraphs of very detailed information about what went right or wrong. Use this very helpful information to your advantage!

Renovating Your DC Area Home

April 28, 2017Bathroom Remodeling, DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advicematt

The price of real estate here in D.C. has skyrocketed in recent years, to the point where Washington has become one of the hottest real estate markets in the country! For this reason, many D.C. area homeowners have chosen to renovate their homes to meet their space and lifestyle needs, rather than trying to purchase a new home here in D.C. This is a great way to make sure that your home meets your tastes and requirements, without venturing back out into the costly D.C. real estate market. And – as an added bonus – when you renovate your home, you increase its value for when you do finally decide to sell it. Read below to find out how you can get the most out of your home remodel here in D.C.

Renovating Your D.C. Kitchen

There are many plumbers and contractors who specialize in DC kitchen renovations. The important thing is to be prepared for your kitchen renovation, and to know exactly what kind of upgrades you would like. Kitchen renovations are very popular here in the D.C. area, and tend to add great value to a home. One of the more popular local upgrades concerns your appliances. If your refrigerator, oven, and/or dishwasher are outdated, considering upgrading to stainless steel. Not only will this wow potential homebuyers here in Washington—it will provide a huge boost to the operating power of your appliances. Similarly, if your countertops are flimsy and outdated, consider upgrading to granite. This is a very sturdy and easy-to-clean material that D.C. area homeowners love. Once you go granite, you will not want to switch to anything else!

Basement Remodels

Unlike some areas of the country, houses in the Washington, D.C. area often come with basements. If you have a dank, unfinished basement, you can add huge resale value to your home by finishing it. Carpeted floors, plaster walls, furniture, even bathrooms and bars can make your basement feel like another room in your house. If you are going for a full basement upgrade, you will likely need a plumber and electrician to outfit your basement for its new purposes. A finished basement can also be a great place for kids to play, without disturbing the adults.

Bathroom Remodels

Bathroom remodels are also a popular way to increase home values in D.C. This sort of remodel will definitely require the help of a local plumber, especially if you are doing a major upgrade. If your bathroom is an outdated eyesore, you might wish to consider changing the tiles on the floors and walls, as well as applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls. This relatively simple change can work wonders for your bathroom. You might also wish to upgrade your sink. For one, you could upgrade the materials of your sink (marble is a popular choice). You could also install a “dual vanity”, which allows you to have two sinks! This makes getting ready in the morning so much easier.

What To Do For Emergency Repairs In D.C.

April 26, 2017DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issues, Water Heatersmatt

Most D.C. area homeowners who have owned a home long enough are familiar with emergency repairs. These are repairs that need to be done right away, or else it could cause lasting damage to your property. In worst case scenarios, your family’s health and safety could be endangered if repairs are not done right away. This is a scary situation, which is why preparedness is crucial. This article will provide some tips on how to handle emergency repairs here in the D.C. area.

What Constitutes An Emergency Repair?

An emergency repair is a repair that would need to happen urgently in order to maintain the health and safety of you and your family, as well as the integrity of your home. Such repairs might include gas main breaks, power outages, broken pipes, and clogged drains. There are several more repair situations that would constitute an emergency, but the preceding list highlights some of the most common emergency repairs. It is recommended that you have the number of a trusted 24-hour service provider on hand, so that you are ready to call as soon as an emergency repair is needed. You should have the contact info of a variety of service providers, as your repair needs will differ. For example, you will want to have the contact information of a good electrician on hand for power outages, and the number of some plumbers or drain services in DC., in case you have a major clog.

Have A Plan In Place

Planning is key in emergency situations. If you believe that the situation is putting you and your family in urgent danger (for example, a gas leak) you will want to have a place where you can stay on short notice, until the repair is made. This could be the house of a relative or friend, or it could even be a hotel that you know will have rooms available. Sit down and make a list of some places to stay before any emergency happens, so that when it does, you know exactly where to turn. Some preparations can be made in the home itself. For example, you help can prepare for a power outage by keeping flashlights or lanterns in every room, so that you can move around safely in the dark. It is also recommended that you have an icebox and ice handy, so that your perishable food doesn’t spoil when your refrigerator stops functioning.

Do Not Panic

Sometimes, in emergency situations, people spend hours planning, but forget to act on those plans amidst the stress of the situation. For this reason, if you ever find yourself facing an emergency as a D.C. homeowner, it is important that you keep your cool and stick to your plans. Sit down with the other members of your family and communicate your plans to them, so that they are ready in case an emergency should ever pop up. By staying calm and sticking to the plan, you can stop a huge headache from becoming something much worse.